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TPI on a 400 sbc???

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Old Mar 13, 2001 | 07:22 PM
  #1  
toofast99's Avatar
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From: Danville, VA, USA
TPI on a 400 sbc???

I have already gotten a 400 block (74 model w/ 2 bolt main caps) and was hoping to use my factory TPI setup along with my heads (91 Z28 w/ L98 350) but I am having a hell of a time finding a cam that will work with the computer and be able to use the solid lifters like the old block needs. I don't need a high rpm monster I just want a ton of torque in the low rpm range. I just want a sleeper that you can't hear out of the pipes but when a "Rustang" comes up I can blow his doors off. I still have the factory gears (3.23) and a beefed up 700r4. I have heard that you need a cam made specifically for a computer contolled car. Anybody got any suggestions as far as a cam to use with my setup??
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Old Mar 14, 2001 | 12:41 PM
  #2  
five7kid's Avatar
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From: Littleton, CO USA
Car: 82 Berlinetta/57 Bel Air
Engine: L92/LQ4 (both w/4" stroke)
Transmission: 4L80E/4L80E
Axle/Gears: 12B-3.73/9"-3.89
I think you're confusing solid lifters with flat tappets. You don't need solids - The 400's were hydraulic, just like your '91, except there was no roller on the lifter (hence the term "flat").

Talk to the cam manufacturers and let them know what you're doing. They'll give you a mild cam that will work fine in the 400 with your TPI. You should get the lifters with the cam, but get a new set of push rods while you're at it (the roller lifter push rods are shorter and won't work properly with a flat cam/lifter) and timing set as well. They'll probably sell you an '86-earlier TPI compatible cam, which will give you the torque you're looking for, but will probably be fairly conservative with lift. Consider 1.6 ratio rocker arms to help it get a little more air into the bigger cylinders. Port the TPI plenum if you haven't yet, and get a good exhaust system from heads to bumper. Also get an adjustable fuel pressure regulator to bump the fuel pressure up a bit to help feed the extra cubes better.

You could get a retro-fit roller setup and use your original L98 cam (w/1.6 rockers), but I'm not the right guy to tell you all you'd need to do to make that work. It would probably be more expensive than a flat-tappet setup.

By the way, if any of the cam guys say "400's didn't come with TPI.", thank them for their time, hang up the phone, and call another cam manufacturer.

------------------
82 Berlinetta, orig V-6 car, now w/86 LG4/TH700R. 2.93 limited slip. Cat-back from '91 GTA, Accel HEI SuperCoil. AMSOIL syn lubes bumper-to-bumper. Daily driver, work-in-progress (LG4 w/LB9 block, ZZ3 cam and intake, TBD heads ported & polished, Hooker headers & y-pipe, 3" Catco cat).
57 Bel Air, my 1st car. 0.030 over 396, Weiand Action+, Edelbrock 1901 Q-Jet, Jacobs Omnipack, 1-3/4" headers, TH400 w/TCI Sat Night Special conv & Trans-Scat shift kit, 3.08 8.2" 10-bolt w/Powertrax, AMSOIL syn lubes bumper-to-bumper. Best 15.1 @ 5800' Bandimere. Daily driver while Camaro was being put together.
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